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I almost expect to see uhd on the new bss frequencies and sticking with mpeg4 for now... Several offerings on demand and then maybe ten linear channels, some ppv and an HBO channel and a couple others.... And I kind suspect the hr44 can do it now... Maybe... If not I suspect it will launch sometime shortly after d15 is operational, which would mean new hardware to go with it in about a year. Just my wild guessing...

Another take: Many channels will get 1080p and will look pretty swell on UHD TVs....

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How? The networks don't provide 1080p feeds, it is all 720p or 1080i.

I think the networks will the biggest roadblock to 4K. They already spent a lot of money upgrading to HD production and distribution and aren't likely to want to upgrade again, especially when the benefits of HD->4K will be much less visible to consumers than the benefits of analog SD->digital HD were. I'm sure they'll be willing if 4K really takes off, but the plans for most are probably "let's wait and see, in case it is another 3D debacle"

As far as Directv goes, they've given plenty of lip service to 4K, but they haven't announced anything specific as far as equipment, availability date, what will be available, etc.

I think the networks will the biggest roadblock to 4K. They already spent a lot of money upgrading to HD production and distribution and aren't likely to want to upgrade again, especially when the benefits of HD->4K will be much less visible to consumers than the benefits of analog SD->digital HD were. I'm sure they'll be willing if 4K really takes off, but the plans for most are probably "let's wait and see, in case it is another 3D debacle"

As far as Directv goes, they've given plenty of lip service to 4K, but they haven't announced anything specific as far as equipment, availability date, what will be available, etc.

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The move to 4k will be even easier considering many movies are already shot in it. Natural attrition will take care of it. It was much more difficult to change everything to a totally new technology where as this is simply a newer version of the same. They won't need to build new studios and such as they did for Hi Definition. Hi Definition was a much much more massive undertaking.

And as for 1080p. I believe several channels are already done completely in 1080p and downgraded for distribution. NFL network and I think espn are among them but not positive about espn.

A couple of things: 1) How could DTV try to jump into another "trending" technology when it has yet to fully upgrade SD channels to HD? 2) At what point can DTV stop justifying fees for HD? 3) I am not employed by DTV or own stock, so exactly why should this company continue to expend monies on questionable fads? (i.e., 3D TV)

It just appears that management has lost its vision and ideals for the future. Yes making money is obvious for any for-profit entity, but DTV reminds me of Circuit City years ago. Big and profitable, but without a vision, drive or singular purpose. I still remember back in the 80's when DTV's cutting edge technology was announced. I just don't see the same company anymore. Just a corporation trying to squeeze its consumers.

A couple of things: 1) How could DTV try to jump into another "trending" technology when it has yet to fully upgrade SD channels to HD? 2) At what point can DTV stop justifying fees for HD? 3) I am not employed by DTV or own stock, so exactly why should this company continue to expend monies on questionable fads? (i.e., 3D TV)

It just appears that management has lost its vision and ideals for the future. Yes making money is obvious for any for-profit entity, but DTV reminds me of Circuit City years ago. Big and profitable, but without a vision, drive or singular purpose. I still remember back in the 80's when DTV's cutting edge technology was announced. I just don't see the same company anymore. Just a corporation trying to squeeze its consumers.

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DirecTV is a 'Premium' service and trendy tech is Premium service for Premium folks. Perhaps you aren't Premium enough for good ole' DirecTV..

Introducing 1080p and 3D didn't require new boxes. D* might find 4k sources, get 4k signals up to the satellites and thence down to users' boxes. But how does the 4k signal get from box to TV? I doubt that can be done with current boxes.

Today I watched for the first time some 4k youtube videos on the 4k TV that I just bought my wife. Since I only get about 14mbps from the internet into my home, I was expecting an overcompressed second-rate picture, but I was surprised at how good the videos looked.

The move to 4k will be even easier considering many movies are already shot in it. Natural attrition will take care of it. It was much more difficult to change everything to a totally new technology where as this is simply a newer version of the same. They won't need to build new studios and such as they did for Hi Definition. Hi Definition was a much much more massive undertaking.

And as for 1080p. I believe several channels are already done completely in 1080p and downgraded for distribution. NFL network and I think espn are among them but not positive about espn.

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Do any Directv receivers even support 1080p60? AFAIK, the 1080p they support is only 1080p24. That's fine for movies, but sports, not so much. No point in going from either 720p or 1080p to 1080p24 for that.

Don't assume that because HD is digital and 4K is digital that its just a software upgrade. Maybe they don't need a whole new studio, but if they replace all the equipment in that studio it is still pretty damn expensive. The cameras have to be 4K, there is 8x as much data passing around (assuming they go from 720p/1080i to 60fps 4K) They need new editing equipment, new encoding equipment, more satellite uplink capacity. I don't believe it will be as simple as you seem to believe.

Doing 4K for PPV will be easy, assuming customers will pay more for it to offset the cost of delivery. I could see HBO and SHO doing a 4K movie channel. But live action sports? Non-broadcast network content like Walking Dead or Salem? Color me skeptical. What's the point of providing a 4K feed if everything on it is simply upconverted HD?